The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-13
WHATPARNEIL HiSTOSAY
HE TAKES A HOPEFUL VIEW OF
THE SITUATION.
He Considers the CJ0ture a HastJ
aad Initla'sry Act OF Tyranny
The Irish Landlords.

British Parliament, who corresponds
for the New York Tribune, recently
interviewed Mr.. Parnell with the fol-
lowing result:
Mr.. Gill-How do you like the look
Of the situation2
MI. Parnell-I like the look OF the
situation. The arbitrary action Of the
government in closing the debate
when my amendment to the first
reading OF the coercion bill had only
besn uoder discussion for one evening
hes produced a strong feeling Of an
tsgonism to the measure throughout
Great Britain. Recollect, this was
not a case OF Eaglishmen stopping the
mouths of Ihsbmen. 1t was 800
Tories and renegade Liberals formally
applying the closure to a minority $50
strong, consisting not merely of the
Irish party, bat Of the great Liberal
party Of England, nov holding the
constitutional position Of the Queens
opposition, and at their head the
greatest English statesman OF the
century and the Oldest and most illus
trlous parliameDtarian in the House
OF Commons. This unheard Of proceed
ing has irritased the Liberals 10 the
county exceedingly, and in my judg-
ment has irretrievably damaged the
bill, which will certainly bs carried by
a diminished majority on it's second
reading, but in no case can survive the
comm ttee stage in its present form,
In fact, l have not permitted myself
TO take so cheerful o view Of the po-
litical situation at any time since the
elections as during the last few days.
The manifestations OF popular indig.
patton now taking place throughout
England are quite unprecedented and
are most inspiring. Please cay, too,
that a tremendous effect has been pro-
duced by the spontaneous demonstra-
tion which the American people have
been good enough to make in our be-
hall. The resolutions condemning
coercion adopted by the Legislatures
and the great meetings in American
cities are proving a most Walt able aid
to our cause.
MI. Gill-What do you think will
happen In Ireland II the coercion bill
passes, although in a modified form 2
MI. Parnel-Well, l hope its evil
designs will DO foiled. Hitherto a CO.
ersion act has always blooded up the
landlords TO evict, aud evictions un-
fortunately have alwsys brought crime
in their train. The eason last winter
was 80 quiet was because the landlords
gave concessions. The moment my
bill was thrown out the Cork landlords
held a meeting and Mr., Penrose Fitg-
gerald, who moved the rejection of my
bill in the House OF Commons, urged
them to reduce their rents, 30 as to
prove that my bill was not needed.
The cue of the Tories then was to gov.
ern Ireland, as they Wanted they
could do at the general election, with
out coercion and without home rule.
In order to falsify Mr.. Gladstone
prophecy the government supplement
ed the voluntary action OF the Cork
landlords by bringing pressure to besl
on refractory r~ackrenters through
the agency Of County Court Judge
Ourrau, Gen. Butler and Capt. Plum
kett. When you add to these exer
tinns the action Of AIR. Dillon and Mr.
O'Brien in working the plan of cam
paign, theiDfluence oil which extended
to estates far beyond the radius o.
those on which 1t was adopted, you
will see what a powerful machinery
there was in operation 60 bring down
| rents, to check evictions and conss
| quenily to prevent crime. Now, how
ever, the landlords and the govern
msnt are on another tack altogether
| They have grown desperate and arr
fighting for their existence, the gov
eminent preparing wildly to coercG
and the landlords to evict. Unde
| ordinsry circumstances such q combi
nation would inevitably produce Al
outbreak OF crime and outrage, but
have every confidence that in this cas-
the Irish people wall resist the attemp
of the government and the landlord
to goad them into violence.
Mr.. Gill-Would not an outbreak o
crime have an unfortunate effect upol
English opinion2
Mi. Parnell-Yes, it would be mos
unfortunate. Crime would shock 40
revolt English opinion and postpon,
home lule SONS time. perhaps to
long, perhaps till Mr.. Gladstone'a pc
litical life were over. This is the Ca
Culation OF these miserable politician
who had formed this villainous pic
against the liberties and happiness q
a nation for the sake Of keeping then
selves in Office for a few years. / be
lieve, however, that people will, 8
l said in my speech the other nigh
hesrken to Mr.. Gladstons's voiC
where he pointed out to them no.
powerfully the pesceable state OF Ire
land had enabled him and the Liberia
party to take and maintain their stron
stand against coercion.
Mr.. Gil-What is your opinion {
the government land bill2
Mr.. Parnell-The clauses regsrdiu
leaseholders are taken almost wor
for word from my bill of last session
except that some limitations Ia min
favorable to the tenants r not col
tanned in the bill of the government
These provision concerning leaseholC
era are, OF course, favorable if they b
fairly administered, aud we shall SUI
port them but there Is much reaso
to doubt whether they will be fsirl
administered. One of the first effect
of the new bill would be the supercel
sion of the great bulk of the preser
land commissioners, who have recent
ly been giving large attachments an
who are as q result out Of favor at tn
Castle. In their stead would be al
pointed a set Of thorough going lsuC
!, lord p~artisans, who would perform th
function OF rent reduction on a mini
mum scale. As for the rest OF tn
measure, IL is a mere trap.